Court Halts Move To Sack Chinda As House Minority Leader

The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives from removing Kingsley Chinda as minority leader, following growing tension within the opposition caucus.

Justice J.O. Abdulmalik issued the interim order on September 22 after Chinda filed an ex parte motion challenging attempts to unseat him. The judge directed all parties to maintain the current arrangement until the court determines the main motion.

The order, contained in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1936/2025, restricts the defendants from removing Chinda or recognising any replacement without following legal and procedural requirements. The court said the decision was necessary to preserve fairness and prevent any breach of constitutional rights before the case is heard.

Chinda, who represents a Rivers State constituency, is a known ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. He claimed that efforts to remove him were driven by internal politics and resentment over his close relationship with Wike rather than any breach of House rules.

In his affidavit, Chinda said his nomination as minority leader was supported by all opposition members in the chamber. He argued that the Standing Orders of the House clearly spell out how leadership changes should be handled, and that the current move to replace him ignored those procedures.

He further alleged that some lawmakers had been holding private meetings to lobby others from minority parties to back his removal before the House resumes plenary. The lawmaker insisted that the process lacked transparency and fairness.

The case lists the National Assembly, the clerks of both chambers, the Speaker of the House, and seven opposition parties—PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, APGA, SDP, ADC, and YPP—as respondents.

Meanwhile, the minority caucus is scheduled to meet today in Abuja to discuss the ongoing legal matter and internal disputes. The meeting was jointly convened by Frederick Agbedi of the PDP, Afam Ogene of the Labour Party, Muktar Umar-Zakari of the NNPP, and Peter Uzokwe of the YPP.

The opposition in the House has faced internal strain, with some lawmakers accusing Chinda of being too close to the ruling APC government. Critics say this closeness has weakened the caucus’s ability to challenge government policies, while others fault him for not regularly engaging members through meetings and consultations.

The outcome of the court case and the caucus meeting is expected to shape the future of opposition politics in the lower chamber as lawmakers resume legislative duties.